Reference: Merari, Merarites
Hastings
1. The third son of Levi, to whom a division of the Levites traced their descent (Ge 46:11; Ex 6:16; Nu 3:17; 1Ch 6:1,16; 23:6. The title 'Merarites' is found only in Nu 26:57; elsewhere they are called 'sons of Merari' (Ex 6:19; Nu 3:20; 4:29,33,42,46; 7:8; 10:17; Jos 21:7,34,39; 1Ch 6:19,29,44,63,77; 9:14; 15:6,17; 23:21; 24:27; 26:19; 2Ch 29:12; Ezr 8:19). They were subdivided into two groups, the Mahlites and the Mushites (Nu 3:33; 26:58), each being traced to a 'son' of Merari (Ex 6:19; Nu 3:20; 1Ch 6:19,29,17; 23:21). From these families fragments of genealogies remain, some branches being traced through the daughters of Mahli (see 1Ch 23:2).
Very little is related of the Merarites after the Exile. Certain Merarites are mentioned in 1Ch 9:14,16-18 = Ne 11:15,17-19 as dwelling in Jerusalem immediately after the Return, and certain others as accompanying Ezra to the city in 454 b.c. (Ezr 8:18 f.). But Priestly Narrative and the Chronicler introduce the family into the earlier history. (1) During the desert wanderings the Merarites were on the north side of the Tent (Nu 3:35); their duty was to carry the less sacred parts of it, the 'boards' (or rather frames), pegs, cords, etc. (Nu 3:38 f., Nu 4:31 f., Nu 10:17), for which they were given four waggons and eight oxen (Nu 7:8); and they were superintended by Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron (Nu 4:33). (2) After the settlement in Palestine, twelve cities were assigned to them (Jos 21:7,34-40 = 1Ch 6:63,77-81). (3) In David's reign the Chronicler relates that the Temple music was superintended partly by Ethan, or Jeduthun, a Merarite, and his family (1Ch 6:44-47; 16:41 f., 1Ch 25:1,3,6,11,16,18,21 f.; and see 1Ch 15:6,17-19). David divided the Levites into courses 'according to the sons of Levi' (1Ch 23:8; Merarites, 1Ch 23:21-24,26-30), and particular offices of certain Merarites are detailed in 1Ch 26:10-13,16-18. (4) They took part in the cleansing of the Temple under Hezekiah (2Ch 29:12,14). Cf. also art. Kohath.
2. The father of Judith (Jdt 8:1; Jdt 16:7).
A. H. M'Neile.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their genealogy: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their genealogy.
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their genealogy.
Merari's sons by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans by their ancestral houses.
Merari's sons by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans by their ancestral houses.
The Mahlite clan and the Mushite clan came from Merari; these were the Merarite clans.
The leader of the family of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they camped on the north side of the tabernacle.
Moses, Aaron, and his sons, who performed the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites, camped in front of the tabernacle on the east, in front of the tent of meeting toward the sunrise. Any unauthorized person who came near [it] was to be put to death.
"As for the Merarites, you are to register them by their clans and their ancestral houses.
This is what they are responsible to carry as the whole of their service at the tent of meeting: the supports of the tabernacle, with its crossbars, posts, and bases,
This is the service of the Merarite clans regarding all their work at the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest."
This is the service of the Merarite clans regarding all their work at the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest."
The men of the Merarite clans were registered by their clans and their ancestral houses,
Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel registered all the Levites by their clans and their ancestral houses,
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
and gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen corresponding to their service, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.
The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting the tabernacle.
The tabernacle was then taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting the tabernacle.
These were the Levites registered by their clans: the Gershonite clan from Gershon; the Kohathite clan from Kohath; the Merarite clan from Merari. These were the Levite family groups: the Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Kohath was the ancestor of Amram.
Merari's descendants received 12 cities for their clans from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
Merari's descendants received 12 cities for their clans from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
From the tribe of Zebulun, [they gave] to the clans of the descendants of Merari, who were the remaining Levites: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands,
From the tribe of Zebulun, [they gave] to the clans of the descendants of Merari, who were the remaining Levites: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands, Dimnah with its pasturelands, and Nahalal with its pasturelands-four cities. read more. From the tribe of Reuben, [they gave]: Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahzah with its pasturelands, Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands-four cities. From the tribe of Gad, [they gave]: Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the one who commits manslaughter, with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands-four cities in all.
Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands-four cities in all. All 12 cities were allotted to the clans of Merari's descendants, the remaining Levite clans.
On the left, their relatives were Merari's sons: Ethan son of Kishi, son of Abdi, son of Malluch, son of Hashabiah, son of Amaziah, son of Hilkiah, read more. son of Amzi, son of Bani, son of Shemer, son of Mahli, son of Mushi, son of Merari, son of Levi.
The Merarites [were assigned] by lot 12 towns from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun according to their families.
The rest of the Merarites [received]: From the tribe of Zebulun, [they received] Rimmono and its pasturelands and Tabor and its pasturelands. From the tribe of Reuben across the Jordan at Jericho, to the east of the Jordan, [they received] Bezer in the desert and its pasturelands, Jahzah and its pasturelands, read more. Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands. From the tribe of Gad [they received] Ramoth in Gilead and its pasturelands, Mahanaim and its pasturelands, Heshbon and its pasturelands, and Jazer and its pasturelands.
The Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah of the Merarites;
Obadiah son of Shemaiah, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun; and Berechiah son of Asa, son of Elkanah who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their relatives. Shallum was their chief; read more. he was previously stationed at the King's Gate on the east side. These were the gatekeepers from the camp of the Levites.
So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his relatives, Asaph son of Berechiah; and from their relatives the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah. With them were their relatives second in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. read more. The singers Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals;
With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest who were chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord-for His faithful love endures forever.
Merari's sons: Mahli and Mushi. Mahli's sons: Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died having no sons, only daughters. Their cousins, the sons of Kish, married them. read more. Mushi's sons: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth-three. These were the sons of Levi by their ancestral houses-the heads of families, according to their registration by name in the headcount-20 years old or more, who worked in the service of the Lord's temple.
Also, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the equipment for its service"- for according to the last words of David, the Levites 20 years old or more were to be counted- read more. "but their duty will be to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the Lord's temple, being responsible for the courts and the chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of God's temple- as well as the rows [of the bread of the Presence], the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of volume and length. They are also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the Lord, and likewise in the evening.
David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed their service:
From Jeduthun: Jeduthun's sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah-six-under the authority of their father Jeduthun, prophesying to the accompaniment of lyres, giving thanks and praise to the Lord.
All these men were under their own fathers' authority for the music in the Lord's temple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God's temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's authority.
Hosah, from the Merarites, also had sons: Shimri the first (although he was not the firstborn, his father had appointed him as the first), Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. The sons and brothers of Hosah were 13 in all. read more. These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their leading men, had duties for ministering in the Lord's temple, just as their brothers did. They cast lots according to their ancestral houses, young and old alike, for each gate.
for Shuppim and Hosah it was the west [gate] and the gate of Shallecheth on the ascending highway. There were guards stationed at every watch. There were six Levites each day on the east, four each day on the north, four each day on the south, and two pair at the storehouses. read more. As for the court on the west, there were four at the highway and two at the court.
Then the Levites stood up: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;
Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah-a man of insight from the descendants of Mahli, a descendant of Levi son of Israel-along with his sons and brothers, 18 men, plus Hashabiah, along with Jeshaiah, from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and their sons, 20 men.
The Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, son of Azrikam, son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni;
Mattaniah son of Mica, son of Zabdi, son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving in prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his relatives; and Abda son of Shammua, son of Galal, son of Jeduthun. All the Levites in the holy city: 284. read more. The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their relatives, who guarded the gates: 172.
Smith
Mer'ari, Mer'arites
(bitter, unhappy), third son of Levi and head of the third great division of the Levites, the Merarites.
At the time of the exodus and the numbering in the wilderness, the Merarites consisted of two families, the Mahlites and the Mushites, Mahli and Mushi being either the two sons of the son and grandson of Merari.
Their chief at that time was Zuriel. Their charge was the cords of the tabernacle and the court, and all the tools connected with setting them up. In the division of the land by Joshua, the merarites had twelve cities assigned to them, out of Reuben, Gad and Zebulun.
Jos 21:7,34-40; 1Ch 6:63,77-81
In the days of Hezekiah the Merarites were still flourishing.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
These are the names of the Israelites, Jacob and his descendants, who went to Egypt: Jacob's firstborn: Reuben.
Merari's descendants received 12 cities for their clans from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
From the tribe of Zebulun, [they gave] to the clans of the descendants of Merari, who were the remaining Levites: Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands, Dimnah with its pasturelands, and Nahalal with its pasturelands-four cities. read more. From the tribe of Reuben, [they gave]: Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahzah with its pasturelands, Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands-four cities. From the tribe of Gad, [they gave]: Ramoth in Gilead, the city of refuge for the one who commits manslaughter, with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands-four cities in all. All 12 cities were allotted to the clans of Merari's descendants, the remaining Levite clans.
Merari's sons: Mahli and Mushi. These are the Levites' families according to their fathers:
Then the Levites stood up: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;
They gathered their brothers together, consecrated themselves, and went according to the king's command by the words of the Lord to cleanse the Lord's temple.